Veterans Day 2007

World War I ended in an armistace signed on November 11, 1918. The day that ended "the war to end all wars" was celebrated as Armistace Day on November 11, until World War II and Korea proved that naivete tragically flawed. So the holiday was changed to Veterans Day making room for new and future heroes by this proclamation.

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America , do hereby call upon all of our citizens to observe Thursday, November 11, 1954 , as Veterans Day. On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.

Here's a summary of those who have served, were wounded, and died in battle in America's wars.

Revolutionary War - 217,000 served, 6,188 wounded, 4,435 battle deaths.

War of 1812 - 286,730 served, 4,505 wounded, 2,260 battle deaths.

Mexican War - 78,718 served, 4,152, wounded 1,733 battle deaths.

Civil War (both sides) - 3,213,363 served, 354,805 wounded, 191,963 battle deaths.

Spanish American War - 306,760 served, 1,662 wounded, 385 battle deaths.

World War I - 4,734,991 served, 204,002 wounded, 53,402 battle deaths.

World War II - 16,112,566 served, 671,846 wounded, 291,557 battle deaths.

Korean War - 5,720,000 served, 103,284 wounded, 33,741 battle deaths.

Vietnam War - 8,744,000 served, 153,303 wounded, 47,424 battle deaths.

Persian Gulf War - 2,225,000, served, 467 wounded, 147 battle deaths.

Iraq & Afghanistan - 1,048,884 served, 13,820 wounded, 3,434 battle deaths

United States of America - 42,688,012 served, 1,518,034 wounded, 630,481 battle deaths.

*Juneau Mentor Johnson World War II - 1942*

*Brian E. Tierney Vietnam - 1968*

*Randolph Murph Korea – 2001*

Take to heart for those you loved – as I will for Juneau, Brian, and Randolph – these words(1) penned at Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, January 1, 1970, by a young man soon to become one of “those gentle heroes...left behind.”

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you
and save one backward glance when you are leaving
for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them,
though you may or may not have always.
Take what they have taught you with their dying
and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane, take one moment
to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Michael Davis O'Donnell
Panel 12W Line 40
KIA March 24, 1970

(1) This same poem used on Memorial Day here.